Zaltan: The Ransom Note Mix

Music

Now, here's a treat – a rare mix from the founder, legend and pioneer behind a special label. You know and love him, we do too… It's Zaltan!

Antinote Records is an imprint which has released a huge assortment of music from some of our favourite artists here at Ransom Note. Zaltan has acted as a pivotal curator behind the label and has achieved enormous success having released music by the likes of DK, Raphael Top Secret, Domenique Dumont, Tolouse Low Trax, Geena, Alek Lee, Iueke and many more.

The vision behind the label has always been to release music that is not aligned to style or genre, not restricted by preconceptions and stereotypes. As such it has been a crucial outlet for many who have chosen not to conform. Every release is varied and offers an insight into the wild and wonderful musical personality of Zaltan himself – who as you can imagine has excellent taste.

Antinote is presently celebrating its 50th release in the form of Yarra River's "Frogmania" EP. However, they have more recently announced a new LP from OMMA. One you won't want to miss.

We invited Zaltan to show us around his musical realm, he kindly obliged.

Listen and read the interview below:

Who are you, where are you and what are you? What does your music sound like?

Bonjour, I’m Zaltan from Paris 18th! I've been doing this label called Antinote for 7 years now. Trying to put out new original electronic dance-non-dance music. I have released a good 50 records on Antinote so far so I can’t really describe my sound in a few sentences. To make it short, I like when it’s spontaneous but precise, fun and deep at the same time, dark and sexy. Very sexy. Poetic and dreamy. I'm trying to push the boundaries of genres because I think it’s more fun when colours and tastes are well mixed up.

Where was the mix recorded?

At my friends record store, Dizonor. Xavier DDD and Vincent Privat's new store in the 18th. I spend a lot of time there. You should pay them a visit. There's always something going on there and very good records.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Invite your friend to your small appartement, just one light or two, play it loud, drink, smoking is allowed we don't care. Don't open the window, play it louder, some other friends want to come, ok no problem. Drink more. Pull off your tee shirt, smoke another cigarette, usage of drugs is allowed. Hug your friend, or the friend of your friend you just met. Dance. Have sex with him or her, it's totally ok too. Play it louder etc… classic.

What should we be wearing?

Shirts off.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

It was really nice at Dizonor. Nice Rodec mixer, friends, beers…

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

It's a compilation of my current favorites actually. There's a lot of stuff I played a lot this summer and thought it would be fun to record a mix with them.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Impossible! there's this mix of Lil Louis at French Fun Radio around 92/93 i listen to these days. It's top nice. I was also really inspired by WBMX hot mix!! From Chicago when I was younger. Ralphi Rosario, Armando etc… you should check some of them it's sick.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

I'm not really comfortable with this and also playing B2B with my idol would not be an idea that would come to mind. I would rather listen to him or her. BUT, D.K. is the one I really love to play with B2B. We play a lot together and i really enjoy it.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

One CD player, one record player and one cassette player. No mixer, just switching from one to the other very quickly. I used to make selections of tracks and play tunes in my parents living room. It came very naturally i think. So for me it was more about collecting music and thinking about music selection rather than having 2 decks and a mixer and then buying records. I was not even aware of this when i started getting into music and music selection. I was just looking for music always: library, friends of friends (the geeky one yes please), neighbour, sisters and brothers, everywhere. Also this weird (and very dirty) guy selling mangas next to my school, he had some techno and jungle records at the back of his shop. I bought a lot of American techno and "hard house" there. It was not the best but I have a Cristian Vogel record from this time that I still play these days…

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

Both.

What were the first and last records you bought?

I bought cassettes and CDs when I was younger but the first very serious electronic vinyl record that I bought was from my history and geography teacher when I was 15ish. IF's "Space Invaders are smoking grass" on Disko B. it definetly changed everything for me.

Ah no, wait, Squarepusher's "Red Hot Car" – yes this was the very first vinyl I bought. And the last one? My god i buy a lot of records, the last one was an afro-tribal-italia style 12" i can't remember exactly the name. Black Warriors i think.